Keeping Original Medicare and adding a Medicare Supplement offers more flexibility in terms of which doctors you may visit. Your supplement policy may be used anywhere Original Medicare is accepted. It is a plus if you travel or if you prefer to take charge of your medical conditions. With a Medicare Supplement Plan F or Plan G, you can “virtually” eliminate any out-of-pocket costs for your health care, as long as Medicare pays the claim. For many people, the knowledge that you will have very little in terms of out-of-pocket expenses is quite attractive.

Medicare Supplement Plans are optional, but it pays to enroll as soon as you are first eligible for Medicare if you want coverage. During your one-time Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period (six-month window of eligibility of when you first receive Part B), you cannot be turned down, and you can’t be charged a higher premium due to your health status. If you do not enroll in a Medicare Supplement during your Medicare Supplement open enrollment time period, you may have to undergo medical underwriting. During underwriting, an insurance company can choose not to sell you a plan if you have certain health issues. They may charge a higher premium, making the coverage less affordable for many.

Since Original Medicare doesn’t include prescriptions, people who choose a Medicare Supplement usually enroll in a Part D Prescription Plan. Keep in mind that while Part D coverage is voluntary, you should enroll as soon as you are eligible. If you don’t have prescription drug coverage from another source, you may pay a late enrollment penalty if you enroll later. You’ll pay this penalty with your monthly premium for as long as you have coverage.